Wrapping machine



Nov. 17, 1936. R. J. GAUBERT 2,060,986

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l M A /0M/..

' INVENTOR. 16V7 J. fiauber/ ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1936.

v R. J. GAUBERT WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 R OT N E V m Fe/7e J. (iauber/ ATTORNEY.

NOV, 17, 1936. J, GAUBERT 2,060,986

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed July 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Far/e J.Gan/bar ATTORNEY.

Nov. 17, ,1936. R. J. GAUBERT v 2,060,986

WRAPPING MACHINE v Filed July 2, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 5 46 W 50 J7 J5 J9INVENTOR.

fer/e .J. Gaub er) ,I.I W

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,060,986WRAPPING MACHINE Rene J. Gaubert, Oakland, Calif.

Application July 2, 1934, Serial No. 733,393

15 Claims.

This invention relates generally to machines for wrapping variousarticles, as for example for applying Cellophane wrappers about cakes orboxes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine of the abovecharacter which will afford a relatively high capacity but which will berelatively compact as to size.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which will notcause injury to readily crushable articles, and which therefore can besuccessfully employed in the wrapping of cakes or pies.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which willtake articles practically as fast as they can be supplied by an operatorand which will deliver the articles completely wrapped. As will bepresently made clear, the invention is characterized by the fact that 9after inserting into the machine an article to be wrapped, variouswrapping operations proceed while additional articles are beingsupplied.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which can bereadily adjusted to 0perate upon articles of a variety of sizes andshapes.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been30 described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a machine constructed in accordance withthe present inven- 5 tiOn.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in crosssection, illustratingthe machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

40 Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating the provision for securing anintermittent drive.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the 45 line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a plan view, partly in cross-section, showing one of thewrapper-applying headassemblies.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional detail taken along 5 the line 88 of Fig. 7.

My machine as illustrated in the drawings consists generallyof a basestructure l0 (Figs. 1 and. 2), which serves to carry the operating partsof the machine. The operating parts consist main- 55 ly of a pluralityof wrapper-applying head assemblies II which embrace the articles to bewrapped and which carry members for disposing each wrapper in its finaldesired position. In conjunction with the head assemblies ll, there aretables l2 for initially supporting the articles 5 to be wrapped, andalso elevating mechanisms I3 associated with the tables. The articlesare introduced into the front of the machine on one of the tables I2(see the table on the left-hand side of Fig. 1) and are automaticallydischarged 10 from the machine over the inclined conveyor I l. Thesource of power is an electric motor l6, or like motive device.

Before explaining the parts of my machine in greater detail, it may beexplained that the mo- 5 tor l6 drives a single rotatable member, andthis rotatable member transmits motion to other parts to secure thedesired cycle of operation. The rotatable part is a hollow shaft H,which surrounds an upright stationary shaft or standard IS. The lowerend of standard I8 is fixed to the upper plate H! of the base 10.

While the driving connection between the shaft l1 and the motor l6 mayvary in construction, I have illustrated an electric motor l6 providedwith a gear reduction box 2|. Extending from the gear box there is adrive shaft 22 carrying the driving pinion 23. This pinion engages agear 24 which is secured to the lower end of shaft H. The electricalcircuit to motor I6 is such that the drive is intermittent; that is, sothat when a switch is closed to energize the motor, the motor operatesfor a predetermined length of time to rotate shaft I! a predeterminedangular distance, after which the motor is automatically -de-energized.A simple manner of accomplishing this result is to provide a motorswitch in conjunction with certain of the parts driven by the motor,whereby the motor circuit is automatically opened after a predetermined4O angular rotation of shaft l1. Thus, referring to Fig. 5, I have shownsuch an automatic switch associated with the pinion shaft 22. Pivotallymounted adjacent this shaft there is a lever 25, which is urged in onedirection by the compression of spring 26. The free end of this levercarries an electrical contact 21, co-operating with a stationaryelectrical contact 28. These contacts are connected in series with theelectrical circuit to the motor, and can be shunted out by amanually-operated switch. Mounted upon the upper end of shaft 22 thereis a roller 29 which is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotationof shaft 22. As shaft 22 rotates, for each revolution roller 29 engageslever 25 and effects sufficient movement to open the contacts 21 and 28.Preferably, the motor is provided with a magnetic brake to effect quickstopping when the energizing circuit is de-energized.

A suitable detailed construction for the head assemblies I I can be bestunderstood by reference to Figs. 7 and 8. As illustrated, each headassembly consists of an annular ring 32 secured to a projecting arm 33.The inner end of this arm is fixed to a flange 34, whichin turn issecured to the upper end of shaft I1. Overlying the ring 32, and securedthereto, there is a cover ring 36.

For the purpose of aifording an opening 40 through the head assembly,which will conform substantially to the size and shape of the articlebeing wrapped, I provide an article-receiving member 31 which islikewise annular in outer contour. Assuming that this member is made.

of sheet metal, as illustrated, its upper and outwardly-extending flange38 is removably secured to the cover ring 36 by means of lugs :39andcapscrew nuts 4I'. The inner depending flange portion 42extends-substantially the depth of the head and affords the openingwhich is proportioned in accordance with the sizezand shapeof thearticle being wrapped.

At this point it may be explained'that in wrapping an article, thewrapper is first laid across the top of the article, and then thearticle is forced upwardly into a position within a head assembly,whereby the wrapper extends downwardly along, the sides of the article.For the purpose of folding or positioning the depending edges of'thewrapper laterally over the bottom of the article, I provide movablefolding members These members are formed of relatively thin sheet metaland underlie the other .parts of the assembly. In order to carry themembers 44 and 46 for sliding movements toward and away from each other,I provide a pair of rods 49 and which aresubstantially parallel andwhich are slidably mounted in'oppositesides of the ring' 32'. One endportion 52 of member 44 is secured to the rod49, while the end portion53 of member 46 is secured to the rod 5-I. ;While the sliding movementof rods 4-9 and BI is limited, sufiicient movement is afforded so thatmembers 44 and 48 canbe retracted beyond the edges of opening 40, or canbe moved together substantially to the position illustratedin Fig. 7.The mounting just described preferably permits replacement of foldingmembers 44 and 46, in accordance with the character of articles beingwrapped.

The folding member 41, as illustrated, is also- -formed of sheet metal,but instead of having its wrapper-engaging edge 56 straight, as inthecase of members 44 and"46, this edge is cut to a substantially Vcontour. One corner portion: 51 of this member is securedto a'rod 58,whichisdisposed at right angles .to the rods-49 and 5I- and which islikewise slidably carried by the ring 32. Rod 58-ispermi-ttedsufiicien-t slidingmovement so that member 41 can be slid either to substantiallythe'position shown in Fig; '1 onto, a retracted positionbeyond one side of opening).

Inorder to more adequately support the members 44; 46 and 41, there is arelatively flat ring 59'underlying the assembly, which. isrspaced withrespect to thelower faceof ring 32 and secured thereto by screws 60;Thefree ends 6| and 62 of members 44 and 46 project intoithe spacethusafforded, so that these members are in part supported by the ring 59. Aguide groove 64 is also formed on ring 59, to receive the free edge.portion 66 of member 41. r

fingers19 and BI. r

As a part of actuating means for the members 44, 46 and 41, I providetwo relatively rotatable rings 68 and 69 which are loosely assembledupon the ring 32 immediately below the cover ring 36. Ring 68 isprovided with a pair of lugs H which in turn are provided with slots 12to receive pins 13. Pins 13 are in turn fixed to the rods 49 and 5|.Likewise mounted upon and projecting from ring 68 is a finger 14, bymeans of which the ring 68 may be rotated in one direction (clockwise asviewed in Fig. '1) to effect closing" movement of folding members 44 and46. Ring 69 is likewise provided with a slotted lug 16 which engages pinwhen the head assembly is swung through a circular path, fingers:14 and18 are-engaged and moved by trip. members, to.'eifect closing move--ment of the folding; members;

To'provide for opening movement of the folding members, rings 68v and6.9 are-also provided withaprojecting-ifingers 19 and 8| respectively;These fingers are likewise adapt'ed to successively engage atrip'member, to effect rotation of. ringse'68: and 69 in; a directiontoeffect retraction-f:the;folding members; a

. Positions of fingers 14 and 18E-(relative to. the

head assembly) correspondingv toopen position of folding members 44 and46, are indicated at 14a and 18a;v The-corresponding: positions offingers 19'and18I are: indicated at 19a:and.8Ia;

The trip means-forco-operating. with thehead I assemblies can. beconstructed-"as follows:The

top casting I9 of the base- I0 is provided with a lateral projection8-3;'which'ca1'ries the lower end of an upright; standard 84. The-upper'end of this standardcarriesa bracket 86 whichservesas a mounting for aplurality of'adjustable trip members 81, and 89. These trip membersserve to-successively engage and actuate thefingers 14 and 18; in amanner to be presently explained. Secured to the upper end of standardI1 there is' also a laterally extending arm 9-I-, the outer end of whichcarries a roller 92- (Fig. 1).

This roller is interposed in the path of. movement of the The particularform of supporting the article to-be wrappedpreliminary to transpos-ingthe article into one of; the head assemblies II, consistsof a flattoppedcasting 96 carried by a bracket 91 which in turn is formed upon theshaft I1. In order-to properly center the articleto be wrapped eachcasting 96 is provided with slots 98 adapted: to accommodate adjustableblocks 99.

;.- The elevatingmeans associated'with each table consists of a rod orplunger IOI' which is slidably carried by-the corresponding casting 99..Each plunger IOI is alignediwithacorresponding overlying head assemblyII, and aplate I02. secured to its upper end serves to provide anadequate supporting area for thearticle- ,Inorder to secure the desiredcyclic lifting and lowering movements of plunger IOI, I preferably Iprovide cam means constructed. as follows. Radi- L-levers I04. Mountedupon the'fixedgear train housing I06 there is a cam I01 having a contoursubstantially. as shown in Fig. 4. Preferably a vcertainamount ofaccurate adjustment .is affordtable I2 employed, for

ed for this cam, for example, by securing it to the,

gear housing I06 with screws I08 engaging through slots I09. The innerdepending arm of each L-lever I04 is provided with a spherical surfaceroller III, serving to engage the surface of cam llll. The outwardlyextending arm I I2 of each L-lever extends through a slot formed in thelower portion of the corresponding plunger IIlI. In order to minimizefriction, rollers I I3 are provided above and below the arm I I2. It isevident that with the arrangement just described, particularly with thecam having a contour such as shown in Fig. 4, as each table I2 makes onecomplete revolution about the standard I8, each plunger IN is raised toan elevated position to transpose an article into the overlying headassembly II, after which it is lowered back to its initial position.

In Fig. 2, an article I I6 to be wrapped has been indicated in dottedlines, as it is introduced into the machine by an operator. Overlyingthis article a wrapper II! is also indicated, such as a sheet ofCellophane. In introducing such a wrapper it is desirable to providegauge and retaining means so that the Wrapper is properly centered andretained upon the article until engaged by a head assembly. The gaugemeans in this instance consists of a pair of members I I8, each carryingrollers H9 and I I9a to receive the edge of the wrapper. The uppermostrollers I I9a are loosely mounted so that when the edge of a wrapper isthrust between the upper and lower rollers, a light grip is afforded.Members IIB are pivotally carried by the ends of links I2I which in turnare pivotally carried by a collar I22. Extending between the two membersI I8 there is a spacer bar I23 which, by the manipulation of a wing nutI24, may be employed to determine the distance between the members I I8,in accordance with the width of the wrapper being employed.

Collar I22, instead of rotating in unison with the head assemblies, isjournaled to the upper portion of shaft II. By means of a tension springI26, the collar I22 and the parts carried by the same are urged in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, to normally assume aposition at the front of the machine. Interposed between the collar I22and the shaft I1, I provide a releasable drive means whereby, when shaftI1 is rotated, collar I 22 is carried with it for a certain angulardistance, after which it is released and permitted to return to aninitial position under the urge of spring I26. Thus, shaft I I (Fig. 2)is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures I2Iwhich serve to receive balls A set screw I29 is fitted in collar I22,and its inner end is adapted to engage balls I28. The stationarystandard I8 is provided with a flattened place I3! whereby a ballpassing over the same is permitted to move inwardly. The operation ofthis mechanism is briefly as follows: Assuming that shaft I! is rotatedin a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the left-hand ball I28first engages the inner end of set screw I29 whereby collar I22 and theelements supported by the same are likewise rotated. When the ballengaged by the inner end of the set screw passes upon the flattenedplace I 3! it moves inwardly sufliciently far to disengage itself fromthe set screw I29, thus permitting the collar I22 to return to itsinitial position under the urge of spring I26.

At a proper point in the sequence of operations of the machine, it isdesirable to transfer the article being wrapped to a shelf or supportingplatform which in turn leads to the discharge conveyor I4. For thispurpose I have shown an arcuate shaped shelf or platform I33 (Figs. 1and 6) which is disposed at a level immediately below the level of thehead assembly I I (Fig. 2). This shelf can be supported by suitablemeans, such as standards I34, which in turn are carried by the topcasting I9 of base Ill. The entrant end of shelf I33that is, the endwhich first passes beneath the article being wrapped-is preferably cutto a V-shaped contour, as indicated at I36 in Fig. 1. A portion of shelfI 33, namely, that section indicated at I31, is preferably electricallyheated, to effect sealing of the folded portions of the wrapper.overlying the heated section I3! I preferably provide a presser rollerI38, made of some suitable resilient material such as soft rubber. Thisroller is shown j ournaled upon the end of an arm I39 which in turn isadjustably secured to the upper end of standard I8.

As has been previously mentioned, that part of the machine appearing inthe left-hand portions of Figs. 1 and 2, is the front of the machineinto which articles are introduced by the operator. To facilitate thepicking-up of wrappers by the operator, a sheet rack I 4| is providedwhich has its forward end curved upwardly.

Operation of the machine can now be reviewed as follo-ws:Assuming thatthe machine has been properly adjusted, the operator introduces thearticle II 6 to be wrapped, upon the front table I2. At that time theplunger I [II of this table will be in a lowered position. The operatorthen places a wrapper, such as a sheet of Cellophane, over the articlesubstantially as indicated in Fig. 2, and during this operation elementsII8 are utilized to ensure proper centering. The opertor then closes aswitch to start motor I 6 in operation. The head assemblies II, and alsothe tables I2, now rotate in unison, and during the initial part of suchrotation the plunger IOI underlying the article is elevated to transposethe article into the overlying head assembly. Such transposition bendsthe wrapper down along the sides of the article in proper position to beproperly folded inwardly. Immediately after the plunger I (II hasreached the upper limit of its movement, trip member 89 engages fingerI4 to cause a limited amount of angular rotation of ring 68. Suchrotation causes folding members 44 and I6 to be moved inwardly towardeach other and beneath the bottom of the article, although not to thefull limit as shown in Fig. 7. The plunger IElI which up to this timehas been supporting the article, is now dropped, whereby the articlerests upon the folding members 44 and 46. Thereafter, finger I4 engagestrip member 88, to effect a further angular movement of ring 68 and thuseffect substantially complete closing of the folding members 44 and 46.About the time this operation is completed, finger I8 is engaged by tripmember 81, to effect an angular movement of ring 69 to move the foldingmember 41 inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1. Likewise, as thefolding member 41 is moving (relative to the head) to its inwardposition, the head is progressing over the entrant end of shelf I33, sothat this end of the shelf likewise co-operates with the folding memberll to effect a final and complete folding of the wrapper.

When the above operations have occurred and the head carrying thearticle has moved substantially one-third of a revolution (120), the

motor circuit is automatically disrupted, whereby the head assembliescome to rest substantially in the position shown in Fig; 1. Another headassembly and supporting table l2 are now before the operator, forreceiving a. succeeding article.

Tracing the first article through the complete cycle of operation, whenthe operator again initiates operation of the motor, the head assemblycarrying the first article moves through a position wherein the fingers19. and BI are engaged and actuated by roller 92, to retract all of thefolding members 44, 46 and 41. The article is now adequately supportedby the shelf I33, over which it slides until the head assembly againcomes to rest substantially 240 from its initial starting position. Insuch position of the head assembly corresponding to the lower right-handposition of Fig. 1, the article is being pressed down upon the heatedsection I31 by the roller l38. Assuming that a self-sealing type ofCellophane wrapper is employed, the folds of the wrapper are therebyheated and sealed together. While the wrapper is in such position, theoperator is again introducing an article into the next head assembly,which is now at the front of the machine. When the operator again closesthe motor circuit, the head assembly, as illustrated in the lowerright-hand part of Fig. 1, swings back to'the front of the machine, andthe wrapped article drops down through the assembly upon theinclinedconveyor M.

It will be evident from the above that my machine has many desirablecharacteristics. Although it occupies a relatively small space, it has ahigh capacity because it will take articles practically as fast assupplied byan operator. Since no parts press tightly against the articleduring the wrapping operation, and since the articles are not inverted,no injury will be caused to readily crushable articles such as cakes. Arelatively small amount of power is required for operation of themachine, and the drive is relatively simple in character; with all partsdriven from a single motor. The machine is also fiexible in itsapplication to articles of different sizes and shapes. If it is desiredto re-adjust the machine for taking an article of a different size, themembers 37 are replaced with members having different sized openings 40.For round articles the opening 40 is circular, as illustrated in thedrawings, but for articles of other shapes the opening 49 can beotherwise contoured, as for example rectangular or square. In setting upthe machine for different types of articles, the. lugs 99 on tables l2are of course adjusted, so that upon introducing the article upon a,table it is properly centered with respect to the overhead assembly.Likewise, the gauging elements H8 are adjusted so that the wrapper canbe quickly introduced by the operator in a proper centered position.

I claim:

1. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying headassembly serving to embrace an article to be wrapped, means extendinglaterally from the standard serving to rotatably support the assemblyfor rotation about the standard, said assembly including movablewrapper-folding members, means co-operating with the assembly fortransposing into the assembly an article to be wrapped, said last meansbeing likewise carried by the standard below the head assembly androtatable together with said assembly, and means including stationarytrip fingers for actuating said folding members of the assembly duringrotation of the. assembly about the standard.

2. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying headassembly serving to embrace an article to be wrapped, means extendinglaterally from the standard serving to rotatably support the assemblyfor rotation about the standard, an article-supporting table disposedbelow the assembly and being likewise supported by the standard forrotation together with:

the assembly, elevating means carried by the table for transposing anarticle into said assembly, and means actuated by rotation of theassembly and the table about said standard for actuating said elevatedmeans.

3'. In a wrapping: machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying headassembly adapted to receive an article to be wrapped, means extendinglaterally from the standard serving to support the assembly for rotationabout the standard, a table disposed below the assembly and likewisecarried by the standard for rotation together with the assembly,article-elevating means associated with the table for elevating anarticle. into the assembly, drive means for effecting rotation of theassembly together with the table and the elevating means about saidstandard, and cam means for effecting operation of said elevating meansin response to such rotation.

l. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying headassembly carried by the standard for rotation about the same, saidassembly in its rotation moving from a position in which an article ispresented to the same, about the arc of a circle back to said position,article-elevating means disposed below said assembly for lifting intothe same an article to be wrapped, said elevating means being likewiser0- tatable about said standard together with the assembly, and meansforming a receiving shelf for the article and adapted to underlie saidassembly for a portion of its circular movement, the cycle of operationbeing such that the elevating means first lifts the article into theassembly asthe assembly moves from the position of presentation, thenthe edges of the wrapper are folded beneath the article, then thearticle is transposed upon the receiving shelf, and finally the assemblyis returned to the initial position.

5. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a plurality ofwrapper-applying head assemblies carried by said standard and adapted torotate as a group about the same, said head assemblies being alignedwith radii disposed equal angular distances apart, drive means foreffecting rotation of the assemblies about the standard, means forarresting the rotating movement of the assemblies after an angularmovement equal to the angular spacing between said radii, a wrappergauge carried by the standard at an elevation below said headassemblies, and means for causing oscillatory movement of said wrappergauge in response to continual intermittent rotation of the headassemblies, the extent of such oscillatory movement being substantiallyequal to the angular spacing between said radii.

6. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an articleto be wrapped, said assembly including wrapper folding members adaptedto be projected beneath the article, rings for effecting projection andretraction. of the folding members, means for bodily swinging the headassembly in an arc of a circle, and trip aoo eee.

tion of the rings. I 7. In a wrapping machine, an upright stand- 3 ard,a wrapper applying head assembly carried by the standard for rotationabout the same, saidassembly including movable wrapper-folding members,said assembly in its rotation moving from a position in which an articleis presented to the same, about the arc of a circle back to saidposition, article-elevating means disposed below said assembly forlifting into the same an article to be wrapped, said elevating meansbeing like-- wise rotatable about said standard together with theassemb1y, means forming a receiving shelf for the article and adapted tounderlie the as sembly for a portion of its circular movement, and meansincluding stationary trip members for effecting selective operation ofsaid folding members.

8. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a wrapper-applying headassembly serving to embrace an article to be wrapped, means extendinglaterally from the standard serving to rotatably support the assemblyfor rotation about the standard, said assembly including wrapperfoldingmembers, trip means for actuating said folding members during rotationof the assembly about the standard, and stationary supplementalwrapper-folding means disposed to underlie the path of movement of theassembly.

9. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a plurality ofwrapper-applying head assemblies carried by said standard and adapted torotate as a group about the same, said heads being aligned with radiidisposed equal angular distances apart, drive means for effectingrotation of the assemblies about the standard, means for arrestingrotating movement of the assemblies after an angular movement equal tothe angular spacing between said radii, said assemblies includingmovable wrapper-applying members, means serving to actuate saidwrapper-applying members during rotation of the assemblies, and asupplemental stationary wrapperfolding means adapted to co-operate withall said assemblies.

10. In a wrapping machine, an upright standard, a plurality of.wrapper-applying head assemblies carried by said standard and adapted torotate as a group about the same, said assemblies being aligned withradii disposed equal angular distances apart, wrapper-folding elementscarried by the assemblies, elevating means disposed below said headassemblies and adapted to elevate articles into the same, means foreffecting rotation of the assemblies about the standard, means forarresting rotating movement of the assemblies after an angular movementequal to the angular spacing between said radii, means for actuatingsaid elevating means during said rotation, and means includingstationary trip fingers for effecting operation of the folding elementsof. all said assemblies during rotation of the same.

11. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an articleto be wrapped, means for progressing the assembly through a cycle ofmovement from a position in which it receives an article to be wrappedand then back to such position, said assembly including wrapper-foldingmeans adapted to be projected beneath said article, an article-receivingshelf disposed to underlie said assembly forionly a portion of itsmovement, 'an inclined conveyor communicating with one end of said shelffor discharging articles from said head assembly, means for actuatingsaid wrapper-folding means to project the same beneath said articlebefore said article is positioned-tooverlie .said shelf, and means forretracting said wrapper-folding means while said assembly overlies saidshell".

12. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an articleto be wrapped with a wrapper disposed over the article, drive meansserving to swing the assembly through substantially a horizontal planeand in an arc of a circle from a position in which it receives anarticle to be wrapped and then back to such position, said assemblyincluding wrapper-folding means actuated during the course of suchswinging movement, said Wrapper folding means serving to fold edgeportions of the wrapper beneath the article, and leaving a portion ofthe wrapper unfolded on one side of the article, and anarticle-receiving shelf disposed to overlie said assembly for only aportion of its circular movement, one edge of said shelf forming meansfor folding said portion of the wrapper beneath the article. I

13. In a Wrapping machine, a wrapper-applying head assembly serving toreceive an article to be wrapped with a wrapper disposed over thearticle, means for transposing upwardly into said assembly an article tobe wrapped, means for progressing the assembly together with saidtransposing means through a cycle of movement from a position in whichan article can be presented to said transposing means and then back tosuch position, said assembly including wrapper-folding means actuatedduring the course of said movement for folding edge portions of thewrapper beneath the article, said folding means leaving a portion of thewrapper unfolded on one side of the article, an article-receiving shelfdisposed to underlie said assembly for only a portion of its circularmovement, one edge portion of said shelf forming means for folding saidportion of the wrapper beneath the article, and means for lowering thearticle from said assembly and from one end of said shelf.

14. In a wrapping machine, a wrapper-applying head assembly serving toreceive an article to be wrapped with a wrapper disposed over thearticle, means serving to transpose an article to be wrapped into aposition within said assembly, a standard serving to support both saidassembly and said means, said standard having an axis offset withrespect to the assembly, drive means serving to swing the assemblytogether with said transposing means about the axis of said shaft, saidassembly including wrapper-folding means actuated during the course ofits movement about the axis of said standard for folding the wrapperbeneath the article, said folding means leaving a portion of the wrapperunfolded on one side of the article, and a stationary article-supportingshelf, adapted to receive the article after wrapping of the same, oneedge of said shelf forming supplemental wrapper-folding means forfolding said portion of the wrapper beneath the article.

15. In a wrapping machine, a head assembly serving to receive an articleto be wrapped, means for progressing the assembly through a cycle ofmovement from a position in which it receives an article to be wrappedand then back to such po- 6 spams-ea sition, said assembly includingwrapper-folding means adapted to vhe projected beneath safid article, anarticle-receiving shelf disposed :to underlie said assembly foronly-aportion .of its;mo.vement, an inclined conveyor communicating withone vend of Said shelf for discharging articles from said head assembly,means for actuating said wrapper-growing means to project the samebeneath isaid article before said article is -.pos1- tioned to overliesaid shelf, and means for retracting said wrapper-folding means whilesaid assembly overlies said shelf, a portion of said 45 shelf beingheated toefiect a sealing operation. RENE J. GAUBERT.

